Mamelodi Sundowns star happy to be recognized by CAF

Before Bafana Bafana played Senegal in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Polokwane on Friday, a journalist travelling with the Lions of Teranga spoke of how much they fear Percy Tau.

In a short space of time, Tau has made a name for himself on the continent with both Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana.

The 23-year-old, who has CAF Champions League and Super Cup gold medals, is on the shortlist for the African Player of the Year, with top stars such as Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Victor Moses, Naby Keita and Christian Atsu.

Tau has also been nominated for the Player of the Year Based in Africa award, along with teammate Denis Onyango and SuperSport United duo Dean Furman and Jeremy Brockie.

Tau’s journey since he started playing regularly has been amazing and it just keeps getting better because he is also establishing himself as a key figure in Stuart Baxter’s Bafana side.

If he keeps his feet on the ground, there’s so much more to come from the Witbank-born attacker.

“They [the nominations] are big,” Tau said with a large smile.

“It was big when I received the news, but I am just happy to be nominated because it gives a good reflection of South African football and what we are trying to do at Sundowns.

“It’s good to see my name with the stars. I am grateful to be nominated. It just adds to the list of things a footballer achieves.”

On top of all of this, Tau was named in the 2017 Champions League Team of the Year with Onyango.

Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has done well to keep improving Tau’s game and it seems he is on the right track with his mission to make the player win the PSL Footballer of the Season prize.